Re: Locomotive speed - 1.1 doesn't work

Bob,
It truly depends on the age, shopping and care taken of the locomotive.
Example: I have been on UP 844 several times when the "Tattletale" hot box recorders have put our speed at well above the theoretical 88 mph that the locomotive was supposed to do with its 80" drivers.
Example 2: I have also been on the UP 3985 when we approached 70 mph, which is well within the 1.1 range on its 69" drivers. The front engine does all sorts of weird dances. The locomotive likes 60-65 mph best.
It is dependent on the accuracy of the counterbalancing, the type of bushings, their wear, their fit, and their type (Brass, Babbet or Roller). The weight of the locomotive on the drivers and a myriad of other factors, including track, determines the top speed.
The 1.1 "rule" was stated in one of the model magazines years ago and a lot of armchair railroaders picked it up. It just ain't so.
It's the same as the term "cut lever", which is also an incorrect description that makes my stomach churn. Any modeler understands this term, but any professional railroader wouldn't. It's a pin lifter.
Rick Steele